The airlift of Muslim pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia for the 2016 Hajj commenced on Monday, with the inaugural flight from the Sultan Abubakar III airport, Sokoto.
Director in the Ministry of Transport and Chairman of the Aviation Monitoring Committee, Adamu Wakil said at the departure that about 80,000 pilgrims will be airlifted in the next five weeks through flight operations from 17 airports across the country.
Wakil assured that safety and security infrastructure would be given priority in all airports to ensure seamless passenger facilitation in the exercise.
Earlier, the Directors from FAAN, Engr. Olufemi Ogunode and Captain Henry Omeogu, led various technical teams to supervise preparations for the exercise.
The inaugural flight was preceded by an airport ceremony attended by Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Governor Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari of Zamfara State; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III and other dignitaries who gave goodwill messages.
Pilgrims from Sokoto and Zamfara States were amongst those that were airlifted on the inaugural flight amidst light showers.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Abdullahi Muktar Mohammed, asked pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country and shun acts that will bring dishonour to their faith and country.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is providing security and safety oversight to all airports, including State-owned airports, participating in the airlift. [myad]
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